Rating: 
Summary: Do not listen to the negative reviews!
Review: This book and its sequel are, quite simply, the best fantasy novels published in the past 20 years. In fact, the only other fantasy stories I enjoy as much as these two are Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser tales (these books are better than Jordan's!). The character development is superb - Arya Stark and Tyrion are two of my favorite characters in fiction. Even the minor characters (Bronn, for example) are better developed than characters in many fantasy novels. If you read the reviews on this site for this book and its sequel (A Clash of Kings), you'll find a few people with two major criticisms of these books: 1) too much sex and swearing and 2) negative portrayals of women. Ignore them. They're wrong. This is a realistic novel; this stuff happens in real life. At no point in these books are such incidents graphically described; the reader always hears of them after their occurrence. In fact, I would say Martin is far better at portraying realistic female characters than his contemporaries. He's certainly better at it than Jordan, who's females are all annoying shrews. Arya Stark, for example, is arguably the best character in the book. Don't let the puritans and feminists prevent you from reading a great book! And to those of you who've read the books: my bet's for Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen ( it seems so obvious, even before hearing the rumors).
Rating:
Summary: ORGASMIC!
Review: Oh, yes it was VERY good. If you like an author to get you emontionally involved in the plot then READ THIS. I have never before had to put a book down because I was afraid one of my favourite characters was going to get killed. I thought that might stop it (it didn't). If you don't like cliffhangers though, watch out!
Rating:
Summary: (deep breaths).... WOW!
Review: Not since I was a pimply-faced 15-year-old -- clutching a tattered copy of the first Dragonlance book -- have I stayed up all night, refusing to set a book down and click off the light to catch a few hours of sleep. But it happened... it happened to me... and clutched tightly in my hands was Martin's tremendously awesome work of fiction. I haven't read fantasy for... 12 years? It's been a while. So much of it is, yes, violent, but lacking in character development. Sure, I read the Hobbit, Lewis' Narnia series, dang near every single Dragonlance and Forgotton Realms books, plus larges dosages of both Jordan and Brooks -- but I grew out of the genre when I went to college, got a job, and got married. But one day at Hastings I saw this book -- read the reviews -- and I decided to buy it. Wow! This is what fantasy should be. Sure, the plot was like other fantasies series, but so what? And sure, it's a violent book. But the characters are so well-thought out. Although there are supernatural elements, its refreshing to read about humans fighting humans, with no dark, crimson-eye-glowing-fiend leading zombies across some mystical barrier. And the writing is "realistic." I mean, how many times do you read a fantasy novel that have 10-page long sword battles, but it all smacks of a sugar-coated sweet. Martin's fantasy is the way it should be -- dark, dangerous, grungy, and VERY violent -- filled with ugly men, men who kill for greed, rape women, and slaughter with nary a thought. THAT's the way it was centuries ago, and THAT's the way a true fantasy should be. Martin -- outstanding fiction. Pick it up and read it now! 1
Rating:
Summary: Truly Captivating!
Review: Every time I would put this book down, it kept me going back for more! I'm a Robert Jordan fan, so I enjoy a book with 800+ pages. In fact, I was sorry when it ended! I purchased the second book soon after! The only upset was when one of the main characters died. I had expected a fairy-tale like ending.. but I guess that's what makes a great fantasy epic! I love this book!
Rating:
Summary: Martin dominates Jordan and Goodkind
Review: Before reading A Game of Thrones and its sequel, I plodded my way through the Wheel of Time and the Sword of Truth. A Song of Ice and Fire is so much better than either of those series. Martin is perhaps longer winded than Jordan (hard to do) and slower with the action sequences than Goodkind, but the novel is just better, the best! The sequel, A Clash of Kings, is even better! Both of the other guys lost their magic after the first book or two, but Martin shows none of that nonsense about 'getting tired' of his story. I have no doubt A Song of Ice and Fire will easily be much better than the Wheel and the Sword of Truth when it is finished. Also, read 'The Hedge Knight' in the Legends collection, by Martin, taking place a generation before the novels. It makes it worth the cost of buying the collection.
Rating: 
Summary: A dispointing read.
Review: I had expected so much from this book, what with its award and all the rave reviews I'd heard. However the book was slow going in several places, lots of interesting ideas just fizzled out and left me wondering what the point was. Some of the characters were likeable, and even some of the events were exciting, but mainly it was hard to find anything interesting to sustain the book. The ending just sort of lost its steam half way through and it seemed like the author just gave up and left it that way. There was a great deal of unrealized potential here and I shutter to think that this is just the start of another unending epic. If you want better written epic fantasies try, Fesit, Williams, or even Jordan.
Rating:
Summary: A fresh look at "Fantasy"
Review: Superb story telling. Mr Martin does a splendid job of brining the multitude of characters in this book alive. His approach to developing the characters kept me enthralled. This is an exciting epic that will appeal to long time sci-fi/fantasy readers as well as those who have shied away from fantasy books in the past. Great reading...I can't wait for the next volume!!
Rating:
Summary: Good read, Gripping tale and a series worth following
Review: Its a good book and has set a high standard for the series to follow. My only hope is that it doesnt deteririorate in the later books which has happened in some series
Rating:
Summary: A must-read for fantasy lovers!
Review: This book is great! Martin leaves several stereotypical plot elements, adding in lots of blood and even some sex. This may not be to everyone's liking, but I love it! It's about time someone shook up the fantasy scene by using plot elements generally avoided. Too many fantasy books focus on being an adult faerie tale, yet avoid any mention of how adults really act. I also like how Martin displays the feudal system. Ned Stark is forced into doing things he doesn't want to do just because of his loyalty to the king. Seeing knights act both boldy and courageously, as well as cruelly and craven, also adds a nice touch of realism. I recommend this book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: It's amazing
Review: I have read the Sword of Truth, The Wheel of Time, The Demon Wars, The Lord of the Rings, The Book of Words, Darksword, Shannara, Belgariad, and the Recluce series and this series is BY FAR my favorite. It may not be for everyone, but if you like scheming, backstabbing characters that you love to hate, this book is perfect. If you are sick of the repetitious garbage that Goodkind has been spewing in his last books, or the constant man/woman bickering that has come out of the Wheel of Time, then buy this book.
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